$1.3 million in grants to aid 10 Houston health agencies

At least 10 Houston area health care agencies are to receive more than $1.3 million to hire staff to help uninsured patients apply for medical coverage under the federal health care law.

This is part of $150 million in grants to more than 1,150 health center nationwide announced Wednesday by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and intended to enroll uninsured Americans in health insurance marketplaces or exchanges when they open Oct. 1. Coverage will take effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

"Investing in health centers means that people in neighborhoods and towns across the country have one more resource to help them understand their insurance options and enroll in affordable coverage," said Sebelius.

Health centers treat more than 21 million patients annually.

The grants appear to be one of the federal government's first direct grass-roots efforts to educate and enroll people under the Affordable Care Act

Health centers are to employ 2,900 workers to help people nationwide apply for coverage under the act. Workers hired with the grants will explain coverage options through the marketplaces, determine subsidy eligibility and enroll patients.

The health law requires that almost all Americans have health insurance by Jan. 1, 2014. Those without employer-backed coverage will be able to buy insurance through exchanges and might qualify for federal subsidies and tax credits to help pay for it.

Locally, Legacy Community Health Centers, a non-profit which operates nine Houston-area clinics, is to receive $267,747. Randall Ellis, Legacy's vice president of public relations, said the agency expects to hire as many as five employees to help people enroll for coverage after it receives the funding. He said it's unclear when the cash will arrive.

Ellis said agency officials are confident they will be able to assist their estimated 45,000 patients and others who need coverage.

Many of the patients probably will qualify for subsidies to help pay for coverage, he said.